Dagger from Crete (?) - for comment +translation plea

Martin Lubojacky · 28th February 2016, 12:39 PM

Thank you Ibrahim al Balooshi

eftihis · 28th February 2016, 10:33 PM

It is definitely a cretan dagger of late manufacture...
I have 2 comments. First the unnecessary length (counter-productive!) for a knife, it is clearly a "status statment". Like the very long "zybek" yataghans, and a sign of late manufacture.
Second, it is interesting that cretan daggers, by 1800 developed a distinctive shape. This development corresponds with the development of the cretan muslim identity. The Cretans that became muslims created a community that although spoke greek, they were neither Greeks nor Turks! After the Greek revolution of 1821, the cretan muslims started to became more and more "turks", and in my opinion this is reflectεd in this dagger, that looks more "turkish" than cretan daggers of previous decades.

Martin Lubojacky · 29th February 2016, 09:12 AM

Eftihis,

Thank you very much for interesting information

Best regards,
Martin

ariel · 29th February 2016, 01:50 PM

Eftihis,
What specific features make you believe it's Cretan origin?

eftihis · 29th February 2016, 11:24 PM

Ariel mainly is the shape of the handle as you see it in this photo

eftihis · 29th February 2016, 11:30 PM

But have in mind that cretan artisans made various types of blades. These 4 are from the same artisan.

Martin Lubojacky · 8th March 2016, 09:25 AM

Dear Ibrahiim,

I just consulted with expert on osmanlı writing. He said there was written "Osman Han" (which is the name) on the blade ...
Regards,
Martin

29th February 2016, 11:24 PM	#5
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	Ariel mainly is the shape of the handle as you see it in this photo Attached Images

29th February 2016, 11:30 PM	#6
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	But have in mind that cretan artisans made various types of blades. These 4 are from the same artisan. Attached Images

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28th February 2016, 12:39 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Thank you Ibrahim al Balooshi

28th February 2016, 10:33 PM	#2
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	It is definitely a cretan dagger of late manufacture... I have 2 comments. First the unnecessary length (counter-productive!) for a knife, it is clearly a "status statment". Like the very long "zybek" yataghans, and a sign of late manufacture. Second, it is interesting that cretan daggers, by 1800 developed a distinctive shape. This development corresponds with the development of the cretan muslim identity. The Cretans that became muslims created a community that although spoke greek, they were neither Greeks nor Turks! After the Greek revolution of 1821, the cretan muslims started to became more and more "turks", and in my opinion this is reflectεd in this dagger, that looks more "turkish" than cretan daggers of previous decades.

29th February 2016, 09:12 AM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Eftihis, Thank you very much for interesting information Best regards, Martin

29th February 2016, 01:50 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Eftihis, What specific features make you believe it's Cretan origin?

8th March 2016, 09:25 AM	#7
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Dear Ibrahiim, I just consulted with expert on osmanlı writing. He said there was written "Osman Han" (which is the name) on the blade ... Regards, Martin